Having returned her salute, he at once seemed to relax and become completely ‘unofficial’. He came round the desk and held out both his hands to her.

‘Kate – it’s so good to see you again. You look wonderful.’

Hesitating only a moment, but then taking the lead from him, she smiled warmly. ‘And you. How are you? How’s your arm?’

‘Fine. It wasn’t broken, thank goodness, only dislocated and a small flesh wound just here.’ He indicated a point just below his collarbone. ‘It’s healed well now.’

They stared at each other, smiling, genuinely pleased to be meeting again.

‘Well, this is a coincidence,’ she said.

Philip’s smile broadened and he shook his head. ‘No coincidence, Kate.’

A slight frown furrowed her forehead. ‘Why? What do you mean?’

‘Do sit down.’ He indicated a wooden chair in front of his desk. ‘I’ll get us some tea.’ He leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘If anyone asks, we’re discussing details of your job as my driver.’

He went towards the door, opened it, issued orders for two teas, closed the door and returned to his desk. Sitting behind it, he smiled across at her again. ‘I’d better look all official when the corporal comes in with the tea. Actually, joking apart, we will have to discuss your – er – position as my driver. But first, I want to catch up on what’s been happening to you since we last met.’

They looked at each other, remembering Dunkirk, and their faces sobered. ‘I’m so glad you’re safe,’ he said softly. His gaze held hers and for a long moment they just sat staring at each other. Then Philip Trent cleared his throat and seemed to shake himself. His glance fell away and he shuffled some papers on his desk in front of him. ‘How’s Danny?’ he asked softly.

‘Fine. He’s joined the RAF.’

Philip nodded. ‘I know.’

‘You do?’ This was getting more mysterious by the minute.

‘I can’t believe this is happening.’ She shook her head in disbelief. ‘What did you mean when you said it wasn’t a coincidence?’

He was smiling again, though looking a little sheepish.

‘When we get to this exalted position,’ he cleared his throat as if poking gentle fun at himself. On looking more carefully, she could see by the four half-inch stripes on his sleeve that he was now a Group Captain. ‘It does have its perks,’ he was saying. ‘We have colleagues in all sorts of posts. And if necessary, we can pull rank to get information.’

Kate still looked puzzled.